Electromagnetic reversing device



No. 752,589. PATENTBD FEB. 16, 1904. J. RIDDELL. ELECTROMAGNETIC RBVERSING DBVIGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1900. F0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Jnventor". john Riddell THE Noam wz'rsm oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo c No. 752,589. 'PATENTED FEB. 16, 1904. J. IDDELL. ELECTROMAGNETIC REVERSING DEVIOE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 28, 1900.

H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES Patented February 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RIDDELL, OF SCHENEOTADY, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEWV YORK.

ELECTROMAGNETIC REVERSING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 752,589, dated February 16, 1904.

Application filed May 28, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RIDDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electromagnetic Reversing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the application of magnetism to transmission of motion.

Of the drawings which illustrate the application of the invention to a metal-planing machine, Figure 1 is alongitudinal section. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 1s an elevation of the electromagnet. Fig. A is a part plan view showing the switching mechanism. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of Fig. 4: along the line 5 5. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are diagrams of the circuit connections, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view, showing the two sections of a mechanical clutch.

In the embodiment of the invention shown herein the planer is driven by a shaft to which is splined for longitudinal movements a rotatable magnet-armature. Mounted on this shaft for independent rotation and on opposite sides of the armature are two electromagnets, which are adapted to be continuously driven in opposite directions by gearing driven by an electric motor. A switch is caused by the movements of the planer-table in opposite directions to alternately energize the coils of the magnets. Thus the planer-table is moved at a uniform rate in one direction by the frictional engagement of the armature with one magnet until the coil of that magnet is cut out and the coil of the other magnet is cut in, whereupon the second magnet acts as a brake to check the movement of the planer-table and as a clutch to cause the table to move at a uniform rate in the opposite direction. Thus is solved in a perfectly satisfactory way the problem of the direct connection of electric or other independent motors with machinetools having reciprocating parts, which has been studied by engineers for so long a time.

Certain features of the invention are not limited in their application to the present disclosure.

In Fig. lis shown the magnetic clutch mech- Serial No. 18,227. (No model.)

anism, which may be applied to any machine where a reciprocatory motion is desired without material departure from the essence of the invention. Several of the heaviest plan ers have been equipped with this device and have been in constant and successful operation day and night for some time. The invention is now being applied to large slotting-machines, as it has proved to be of great value in practice and of remarkable efficiency and cheapness in operation.

In Fig. I, 1 1 indicate portions of the planertable, showing dogs 2 adjustably attached.

A in Fig. 1 represents the armature loosely splined to the shaft S, so that it rotates with the shaft, but can move longitudinally along the same. The shaft S is mechanically connected by suitable gearing in any well-known manner to the machine 1 which is to be driven, the shaft itself being driven by any suitable motor, such as a water-motor or electric motor, in the casing 7 by means of the engagement of the armature A with the electromagnets M or i These magnets are mounted on the shaft S in such manner as to be rotated independently thereof and are driven in opposite directions with respect to each other by the motor. hen used in connection with a planer, shaper, or slotting-machine, it re quires a slower speed when the tool is cutting, and the magnets are therefore driven at diiferent relative speeds. Only one of these magnets M M is energized at one time, and as soon as its coil is open-circuited, so that it ceases to attract the armature A, the circuit of the other magnet-coil is closed and the armature'is drawn along the shaft S to engage the latter magnet, the momentum of which almost instantly causes the machine to stop and to start up in the opposite direction. Since there is only one armature, it is impossible for the magnets to cause opposing strains to be exerted on the shaft, as might be the case if two separate armatures were used. A suitable switch B, Fig. i, is suitably arranged with respect to the machine to which the invention is applied, its function being to open and close the coils of the magnets M M alternately. When the invention is applied to a planer, as shown, the switch B is operated by dogs adjustably attached to the planer-table, whereby the movement of the table in one direction causes the switch to open the circuit of one magnet-coil and close the circuit of the other magnet-coil, and the reverse movement of the table causes a reverse operation. The change from the engagement of the armature with one magnet to its engagement with the other takes place so quickly that the eye of the observer can see nothing that takes place,

it being apparent only that a small space,

about one-sixteenth of an inch, appears first between the armature and one of the magnets and then between the armature and the other magnet and that the armature rotates first in one direction and then in the other. When the armature first engages with one magnet, it does not immediately rotate in the same direction therewith, owing to the momentum of the machine in one direction and that of the magnet in the opposite direction. It is estimated that the armature slips about one rotation when it first engages with the magnet. It then will almost instantly move uniformly with the latter-so quickly, in fact, that the eye receives no impression of the slowing up and stopping of the armature. The electromagnets require only a small current of electricity to become magnetized to perform their work, since the magnetic circuit is very short, and hence it will be seen that in cheapness and efficiency the device constructed in accordance with my invention differs from most of the attempts hitherto made in this direction.

A hub H is rigidly secured to the shaft S, as shown, and to this hub the armature A is held by a spline, so that the armature can be drawn by either magnet longitudinally along the shaft. A shaft 6, which may be the armature-shaft of an electric motor in the casing 7 in Fig. 2, but which may be driven by any desired motor, is mounted on the bearing in a standard 8 and is separated from the shaft S by the space Z.

The pinion 9, which is also a clutch member, is keyed to the shaft 6, and this pinion is permanently coupled with the magnet-disk M in the manner shown in Fig. 9. A second pinion 10 is mounted in a bearing supported by the standard 8 and meshes with a larger gear 11, which is mounted at the end of the counter-shaft 12. On the other end of the counter-shaft 12 is mounted a smaller gear 13, which meshes with a larger gear 14, which is keyed to the magnet-plate M. It will be evident that by this gearing the magnet M is driven in the opposite direction from the magnet M and at a lower rate. Suitable oil-shields 17 are provided, as shown. Between the shaft S and the moving parts of the planer any desired means may be used, such as bevel-gears or a worm and gear. Each of the magnetcoils C is electrically connected in any suitable manner with one of the collector-rings R, with which the brushes U engage. The

brushes U are connected with the switch B, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The brushes are held in carriers 15, which are supported from the standards 16, as shown in Fig. 2.

The switch B (shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5) may be of any desired construction for accomplishing its purpose; but as shown it comprises a block 18, which carries the bindingposts connected to the line. The block 18 slides in V-grooves in the frame 19, which is mounted upon a support 3, secured to the machine or planer 1. Supported in a bed of insulation 20 in the frame 19 are two pairs of contacts 21, Fig. 4, which are connected to the pairs of brushes U, Fig. 1, respectively. In the block 18 is supported a pair of contacts 22, which are connected with the bindingposts, and as the block 18 is reciprocated these contacts engage alternately with the contacts 21 to close the energizing-circuits of the reciprocating magnet-coils. Springs 23 are socured to the block 18 and serve to press the contacts 22 firmly down upon the contacts 21. As shown in Fig. 4, a link 24 connects the switch-block 18 with a lever 25, which is pivoted at 30 to a standard secured to the machine 1. The portions 27 and 28 of this lever are engaged alternately by the dogs 2, which are attached to the reciprocating table of the machine 1, whereby the block 18 is reciprocated by means of the link 24. The hand-lever 29 is pivoted at 30 and connected with the lever 25, thus serving to move the switch B independently of the machine when desired.

In Fig. 6 is shown a compound-wound electric motor M provided with a controlling resistance D and connected with the outside line of a three-wire system. X indicates any suitable mechanical connection between the motor and the planer-clutch M A M, the double-pole switch B being adapted to be connected to the neutral and an outside wire by the switch F to energize the magnet-coils. Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrams of other alternate connections, which are especially adapted to be controlled by single-pole switches, which are more simple in construction than the switch B.

In order to prevent the armature A from being held in contact with a magnetdisk by residual magnetism after the coil of that disk has been open-circuited and to properly lubricate the frictional surfaces, the following means is used in practice. Pieces of non-magnetic material, such as cork, are attached to one of the parts, so that they project slightly beyond the surfaces. Thus when a magnet is energized, drawing the armature toward it, the cork yields sufficiently to permit the armature to engage with the magnets. The cork has considerable extent of surface, and thus lessens the extent of opposed surfaces of magnetic material. As soon as the clutch-circuit is opened the cork expands and forces them-- mature from intimate contact with the magnet- 'disks, whereupon the force exerted by the ITO other magnet, which has now been energized, draws the armature farther from the first magnet. To effect these results, tapered holes 5 are formed in one of the parts-as, for example, the magnet M-and in these holes are tightly fitted pieces K ofa material suitable to perform the above described functions. The armature is provided with oil-holes 0, so that the adjacent surfaces of the armature and the magnets may be lubricated to prevent the rapid wearing of the corks and diminish the friction of the metal parts. The cork pieces distributed throughout the face of the magnet absorb the oil and continuously distribute it over the opposed frictional surfaces.

As shown in Fig. 1, the magnet-coils C are placed in grooves in the magnet-disks and as near as practicable to the armature A. After the coils are inserted in the grooves a suitable soft metal is poured therein about the coils, which are properly insulated and protected against the action of the molten material. Smaller grooves lt hold the metal in the grooves after it has hardened, and by this construction the insulation of the coils is protected against the action of the oil between the opposing surfaces. As shown in Fig. 3, the groove G is made somewhat in the shape of the figure 8 or, non-circular, in accordance with the patent to Carey, No. 539,855, in order that there may be less wearing of the surfaces upon the soft metal.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with a machine, of a magnet armature mechanically connected therewith, two electromagnets in operative relations with respect to said armature, means for rotating the magnets simultaneously in opposite directions, and a switch adapted to be operated by the machine at a selected phase of its movement, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and close the circuit of the coil of -the other magnet, and to be operated by the machine at another selected phase of its movement, to open the circuit of the latter coil and close the circult of the former coil.

2. The combination with a machine having a reciprocable member, of a magnet-armature mechanically connected therewith, two electromagnets,in operative relations with respect to said armature, means for rotating said magnets simultaneously in opposite directions,and a switch adapted to be operated by said reciprocable member at a selected stage of its movement in one direction, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and close the circuit of thecoil of the other magnet, and to be operated bysaid member at a selected stage of its movement in the other direction, to open the circuit of the latter coil'and close the circuit havinga reciprocable Work-table, of a magnet-armature mechanically connected therewith, two electromagnets in operative relations with respect to said armature, means for rotating said magnets simultaneously in opposite directions and at different relative speeds, a switch adapted to be operated by said worktable at a selected stage of its movement in one direction, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and close the circuit of the coil of the othermagnet, and to be operated by said worktable at a selected stage of its movement in the other direction, to open the circuit of the latter coil and close the circuit of the former coil.

4;. The combination with a machine, a magnet armature mechanically connected therewith, a suitable motor adapted to rotate continuously in one direction, two electromagnets in operative relations with respect to said armature and mechanically connected with said motor, so as to rotate in opposite directions with respect to each other, and a switch adapted to be operatedby the machine at a selected phase of its movement, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and close the circuit of the coil of the other magnet, and to be operated by the machine at another selected stage of its movement, to open the circuit of the latter coil and close the circuit of the former coil.

5. The combination with a machine, of two electromagnets, a magnet-armature mechanically connected with said machine and adapted to be moved to engage with each magnet alternately, means for rotating said magnets continuously in opposite directions, and a switch adapted to be operated by the machine at a selected phase of its movement, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and close the circuit of the coil of the other magnet, and to be operated by the machine at another selected phase of its movement, to open the circuit of the latter coil and close the circuit of the former coil.

6. A movable body, a magnet-armature mechanically connected therewith, aplurality of electromagnets adapted to be moved simultaneously in opposite directions with respect to each other, and a switch for opening and closing the circuits of the coils of said magnets, which is automatically controlled by the movements of said body to cause said armature and body to be moved in opposite directions alternately.

7. A movable body, a magnet-armaturemechanically connected therewith, a plurality of electromagnets adapted to be moved simultaneously at different relative speeds, and a switch for opening and closing the circuits of the coils of said magnets, which is automatically controlled by the movements of said body.

8. The combination with a machine, of a magnet armature mechanically connected therewith, a plurality of electromagnets adapted to have simultaneous but dissimilar movements with respect to each other, and a switch operated automatically by said machine whereby the circuits of the coils of said magnets are alternately opened and closed and the said magnet-armature is driven by the electromagtherewith, two electromagnets in operative re-.

lations with respect to said armature, means for rotating said magnets simultaneously in opposite directions, a switch for the circuits of the magnets, and means adjustably mounted on the machine, whereby the switch is operated at a certain phase of the movement of the machine, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and close the circuit of the coil of the other magnet, and is operated at another phase of the movement of the machine,to open the circuit of the latter coil and close the circuit of the former coil.

11. Two independent bodies having simultaneous but different relative speeds, a movable body adapted to engage with each said independent bodies, and a switch controlled by the movements of said movable body for discontinuing a previously-established magnetic attraction between said body and the independent body with which it is at the time engaged, and substantially simultaneously establishing a magnetic attraction between said body and the other independent body.

12. Two electromagnets adapted to have simultaneous but dissimilar relative movements, an armature adapted to engage with either magnet, and to share in the movement thereof, and aswitch, one movement of which, caused by the movement of the armature in one direction, opens the coil of one magnet and closes the coil of the other magnet, and another movement of the switch, caused by the consequent movement of the armature in another direction, opens the coil of the latter magnet and closes the coil of the former.

13. The combination with a machine, of a driving-shaft therefor, two electromagnets mounted thereon, and rotated independently thereof, in opposite directions with respect to each other, an armature keyed to the shaft between said magnets, and a switch controlled by the movements of said armature, to open the circuit of the coil of one magnet and to immediately thereafter close the circuit of the coil of the other magnet.

14L. The combination with a machine, of a secondary driving-shaft therefor, a magnetarmature keyed to said shaft, two electromagnets mounted on said shaft on opposite sides of said armature, a primary driving-shaft arranged in line with the secondary drivingshaft, a coupling between the primary shaft and the nearer magnet, a counter-shaft with gearing cooperating with the primary shaft and the more remote magnet, whereby the magnets are driven in opposite directions at different relative speeds, and a switch for opening and closing the circuits of the magnet-coils alternately, which is controlled by the movements of the armature.

15. The combination with a machine, of a driving shaft therefor, a magnet armature keyed to said shaft, two electromagnets mounted on said shaft on opposite sides of said armature and so as to be rotated independently of said shaft, an electric motor having its armature-shaft arranged in line with said driving-shaft, a coupling between said armature-shaft and the nearer magnet, a counter-shaft, with gearing cooperating with the armature-shaft and with the magnet which is more remote from the motor, whereby the magnets are driven in opposite directions at different relative speeds, and a switch for the circuits of the ma'gnet-coils, which is controlled by the movements of said armature.

16. The combination with a machine, of a drivingshaft therefor, two electromagnets mounted on said shaft and adapted to be rotated independently thereof in opposite directions, an armature keyed to the shaft between said magnets, a pair of collector-rings for each magnet and connected with the ends of the magnet-coils, a pair of brushes connected with each pair of collector-rings, and a switch connected with said brushes and adapted to be operated by the machine to complete the circuits through the electromagnet-coils alternately.

17. Automatic means for causing a moving body to move instantly in the opposite direction, which comprises such body, means for moving said body, an independent body moving in the opposite direction, means operated by said moving body at a selected stage of its movements for cutting off its moving means, and for establishing a sufficient magnetic attraction between said moving body and said independent oppositely-moving body, so that the moving body engages with said independent body, is stopped, and shares the opposite movement of the latter.

18. Automatic means for imparting continuous reciprocatory movement to a body, which comprises such body, two independent bodies moving simultaneously and oppositely with respect to each other, and means operated by said body at a selected stage of its movements for establishing a magnetic attraction between said body and one of said independent bodies, whereby said body engages IIO with and partakes of the movements of said independent body, such means being operated by said body at another selected stage of its movement to discontinue such magnetic attraction, and to substantially simultaneously therewith establish a sufficient magnetic attraction between said body and the other of said independent bodies, so that said body is disengaged from the first independent body, and engages with the latter, is stopped, and

partakes of the movement of the latter inde- I pendent body.

19. Two bodies having simultaneous but dissimilar movements, a third body held in frictional engagement with each of said bodies alternately by magnetic force alone, and means operated by said third body at a selected stage of its movements for causing said body to be so held.

20. In a machine for planing, shaping or slotting, wherein is required a certain rate of movement in one direction and immediately thereafter a different rate in the opposite direction, the combination with the moving part of such a machine, of a driving-shaft therefor, two electromagnets mounted on said shaft to rotate independently thereof, an armature splined to said shaft between the magnets and adapted to move longitudinally along said shaft, means for driving the magnets in opposite directions with respect to each other, and at different relative speeds, and means controlled by the moving part of the machine for energizing said magnets alternately.

21. In a magnetic clutch, the combination with a magnet-armature, of two magnets on opposite sides thereof, and adapted to be rotated in opposite directions with respect to each other, means for energizing said magnets alternately, and aresilient, non-magnetic, absorbent friction material such as cork, attached to said parts to operate between the armature and each magnet.

22. The combination with a machine having a reciprocable member, of a source of power continuously movable in one direction, electromagnetically actuated clutching means for connecting said reeiprocable member with the source of power so that said member is driven alternately in opposite directions thereby, and means operated by said member for making and breaking the circuits through the actuating-coils of said clutching means so as to ener gize said coils alternately.

23. In combination, a reeiprocable worksupporting member of a machine-tool, driving means therefor, oppositely-rotating magnetic clutches between the work-supporting member and the driving means, and a controller operated as the work-supporting member reciprocates, to automatically make and break the circuit of said magnets alternately.

24:. The combination with a body to be moved, of a driving-shaft therefor, two electromagnets loosely mounted to rotate on said driving-shaft, an armature structure moving as a unit and arranged to reciprocate along said driving-shaft between said magnets to engage the same alternately, a power-shaft in alinement with said driving-shaft, a coupling between the power-shaft and the adjacent electromagnet to rotate the latter in one direction, gearing driven by the power-shaft to rotate the other electromagnet in the opposite direction, and means actuated by said. movable body for energizing said electromagnets alternately.

25. The combination with a reciprocable element, of a pair of oppositely-moving driving elements, electromagnetic means whereby said first-mentioned element may be clutched to either of said driving elements, and means operated by said first-mentioned element for making and breaking the circuits through the energizing-coils of said clutching means so as to energize said coils alternately.

26. The combination with a reciprocable part, of a pair of oppositely-moving driving elements, electromagnetic means for securing said part to either of said driving elements to cause the same to rotate therewith, and suitable controlling mechanism operated by said reciprocable part for causing said part to become magnetically secured to either of said oppositely-rotating elements, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have set my hand this 25th day of May, 1900.

JOHN RIDDELL.

WVitnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, MABEL E. JAooBsoN. 

